Citizenship in the Community
Eagle Required
Citizenship in the Community
Merit Badge
Digital Resource Guide
Character Development
The Citizenship in the Community merit badge helps Scouts build character and awareness by cultivating responsibility, respect, and active involvement in their local community. It reinforces the importance of civic duty and ethical decision-making as essential qualities of contributing members of society.
Overview
A nation is a patchwork of communities that differ from each other and may be governed differently. But regardless of how local communities differ, they all have one point in common: In the United States, local government means self-government, which is the closest form of government to the people. Good citizens help to make decisions about their community through their elected local officials and municipal staff members.
Citizenship in the Community
Being part of a community—like your family or Scout Troop—gives you rights and protection, but also responsibilities. You should respect others, follow rules, and help out. As a U.S. citizen, you have freedoms and legal protections, but also duties like obeying laws and staying informed. If you believe that a local law, many times referred to as an Ordinance, you can work with your local government officials in changing them. Just as you’re loyal to your Troop, you should support your local government and work to improve it when needed.
Understanding Citizenship in Your Local Community
Every community has its own unique history. Some are centuries old and full of hope or despair; others are currently developing and changing, while others are new and beginning right now, as carpenters nail shingles on the last house in a new neighborhood. While you are earning this merit badge, you will discover ways you can help your community, old or new, by participating as a good, active citizen.
Learning to Be a Responsible and Caring Citizen
What does a community give you?
Support
People in a community stand by each other through both tough times and joyful moments. If you’ve ever played on a sports team, you know how uplifting it is to hear local fans cheering you on. In circumstances where disasters such as fires or floods occur, local communities often respond promptly by providing critical assistance, including food, blankets, and clothing to those affected. Local government often times have interlocal agreements to assist each other during such disasters.
Safety
Communities provide essential services like fire, police, medical care, and city-wide safety alerts and response measures. Citizens who care about their neighborhoods and the places they live want to keep their communities safe. You can play a role, too. You can shovel snow from sidewalks, sweep glass out of the street, paint over graffiti, or report a broken streetlight. Remember that if you see something, say something! You help control the overall quality of life in your community.
Services
Without communities, families would have to find food and water on their own, rely on candles for light, and handle illness without help. But thanks to community services, we have clean water from the faucet, electric lights at the flip of a switch, and access to medical care when needed.
Did You Know:
We have a responsibility to be good citizens in our communities—and that includes being responsible digital citizens online.
Now Let’s Explore the Requirements for the Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge!
